Tom Thibodeau

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Chicago Bulls announce expanded partnership with Advocate Health Care
Photo gallery: Advocate Center tour

Shortly after it was announced that the Bulls’ new practice facility will be named the Advocate Center as part of a multi-year agreement, the team hosted 13 members of Advocate Health Care’s leadership group for a luncheon. Afterwards, the group went on a behind the scenes tour to see the work in progress. 

Some talked about the benefits of having the facility downtown across the street from the United Center. Others highlighted the significantly larger space—nearly twice the size of the Berto Center—and openness. All came away impressed and excited about the team’s future in the new building. 

Given the Bulls have practiced at the Berto Center in Deerfield since 1992, the new facility’s new name will take some getting used to. But Michael Reinsdorf, President and COO for the team, believes the identity will catch on quickly. 

“I really like how the name flows,” said Reinsdorf. “The Berto Center had a great ring to it, and Advocate Center also has a great ring to it. I’m really excited about our partnership with Advocate and we don’t really look at it as a naming rights deal. It’s truly a partnership that is with one of the leaders in the healthcare industry. They want to make a difference in the community, just as the Bulls want to make a difference in the community. We’re hoping to partner together to come up with incredible programs that will make a difference in the lives of so many people.” 

Jim Skogsbergh, Advocate Health Care’s President and CEO, shared Reinsdorf’s sentiment and reiterated that their partnership with the Bulls is about much more than the practice facility.

“It looks like it’s going to be a first class facility, which is appropriate, given it’s a first class organization,” said Skogsbergh. “We’re so proud to have our name associated with the Bulls, a great organization that is not only competitive in its arena, but also gives back so much to the community, which is where our heart is. We’re excited about what this partnership is going to mean for the communities which we care so much about and we’re anxious to serve. It’s a great day for us and a great facility. I can’t wait to see it when it is finished.” 

With Advocate set to enter its third season of partnership with the Bulls as 2014-15 gets underway, Skogsbergh said it was how well the first two years went that made it appealing to take the relationship to another level. 

“The things that have meant so much to our patients mean just as much to us,” Skogsbergh explained. “There have been on-court experiences at games and it’s just awesome for those kids, the patients, and the families. Players have come to our campus as well and that’s huge, just huge. We also did a lot of work around breast cancer and we know that there are more opportunities like that as we take this relationship deeper. There are a lot of good things to come.” 

Kelly Jo Golson, Senior VP and Chief Marketing Officer for Advocate, recalled how early on in the partnership, she could see that many of the same shared values existed between her company and the Bulls. And while the naming opportunity is a significant part of their relationship, she looks at it more so as two organizations coming together to improve their community. 

“They’ve been phenomenal,” said Golson. “The Bulls have not only been open to us coming to them and saying, ‘Here’s an idea we have,’ but for them to reach out to us about how we can make a greater impact. Sometimes when players come to the hospital for a visit, they’ll request that media is not there. They just want to brighten the day of some of our younger patients.” 

The significance of the team’s corporate partners is certainly not lost on John Paxson, Executive VP of Basketball Operations for the Bulls. 

“It’s always great when someone looks at an opportunity and says we want to partner with the Bulls,” said Paxson. “All of us, including myself in this position, we don’t take that lightly. We know the commitment they are making and we know they want to get value out of this. For years, ‘Berto Center’ has rolled off people’s tongues. They know that’s where the team has practiced. It’s going to be the same thing with the Advocate Center. It’s going to be a beautiful building and they’ll have a lot to be proud of.” 

Though there are a few months of work left to be done, it won’t be long before the Advocate Center’s doors are open and another season is right around the corner. But for now, as guests sport hard hats rather than practice jerseys, everyone was imagining how nice it is going to be. 

“When I’m standing on the basketball court in that big space, that’s really exciting,” said Reinsdorf. “But then you walk around through the weight room, locker room and offices… every area in the new facility has been well thought out. It’s literally across the street from the United Center, which will allow greater interaction between our business side and our basketball side. I couldn’t be more excited.” 

For most of the people on hand Wednesday, it was their first time touring the structure which will house the team’s basketball operations and coaching staffs when it opens prior to the 2014-15 season. 

Paxson holds the unique perspective of having been with the organization since 1985 as both a player and an executive. While being downtown is a key element, he feels the team simply outgrew the Berto Center and the time was right for the team to upgrade. 

“Our players have wanted to live in the city for quite a while,” explained Paxson. “Being up north, as much as we’ve loved the Berto Center, it’s been difficult when you think about guys traveling downtown on gamedays. This is going to allow our players to live in the city and be part of the community. 

“It will shorten a lot of things—commutes to practices, home after games and so on,” Paxson continued. “All the things we worry about in terms of rest and preparation will be alleviated. On top of that, our players are going to have access to everything state of the art in terms of conditioning, fitness and rehab. You’re always trying to stay current or ahead of the curve and we think we’re doing that.” 

Paxson also views the building as a re-energizing vehicle, an inspiring next step for the organization. He also likes that long-term, it will be another tool for the Bulls to use when recruiting free agents. 

“They all know the organization’s great reputation, but now you can sit down and say, ‘Look, here’s what you have access to: the city, the practice facility, everything is here and it is close.’ I think it is going to help,” stated Paxson. 

Paxson was part of a group that traveled to see several newer training facilities on both the professional and collegiate levels. They took ideas from all of them in an attempt to create a building in which every aspect will be improved. In short, it’s a place where the team’s players can come to work on their games, improve as a team, and be comfortable while doing so. 

When asked what jumped out at him after seeing the interior of the building, General Manager Gar Forman cited its size and layout. 

“We spent a lot of time planning, but to get inside and see the framework of what it’s going to look like shows us how much of an upgrade it will be from where we’ve been,” Forman said. 

At the end of the day though, for Forman it comes down to putting the team in the best possible position to succeed. 

“It’s the chance to have a world class facility for our players to train,” said Forman. “The building is going to be great—the flow of it will result in increased interaction. As players go from the training room to the weight room to the gymnasium, they’ll get to see that openness and they’ll be very comfortable. We think it’s a place where they are going to want to spend a lot of time.” 

Bulls Head Coach Tom Thibodeau was equally pleased with what he saw. 

“We’re thrilled and we couldn’t ask for anything more,” said Thibodeau. “It’s going to be a great facility with everything state of the art. It’s going up very quickly and I know our players are very excited to get down here.” 

Thibodeau also likes the thought of allowing his players to get in additional rest on gamedays. 

“It will be huge with how we practice and prepare and in terms of recovery,” said Thibodeau. “It’s going to be the best. There’s no question about it.”

bulls-new-downtown-training-home-the-advocate-center

Bulls' new downtown training home: The Advocate Center

Though you couldn’t help but escape the disappointment of losing in the first round of the playoffs, it was hardly the only emotion present as the Bulls held exit meetings at the Berto Center on Wednesday.

Pride in what the team accomplished in the face of adversity was equally, if not more prominent. There was a sense of optimism as well as the team enters into the offseason poised to improve itself.

“What we told our team was first of all that we’re really, really proud of everything that they put into this season, a trying season in a lot of ways,” said Bulls general manager Gar Forman. “The second thing is that we’re very, very proud that these guys have created a culture here and it’s a culture of winning, it’s a culture of professionalism, and it’s a culture where these guys all play together. We’ve got unselfish guys that have done a great job as teammates and playing for each other.”

With six straight postseason appearances and nine out of the last ten years, the Bulls have enjoyed sustained success. Now, Forman said the focus shifts with one question at the forefront: How do the Bulls get to the next level?

It’s Forman’s aim to take advantage of what he calls a “big summer” ahead to move another step in that direction.

“Obviously we’re going to try to strengthen our team and I think we’re going to be in a position where we can do that,” said Forman.

“We believe that the core of this group really has the chance to do something special moving forward,” Forman added. “It’s up to each and every one of us, from the players to the front office to the coaching staff and everybody involved in our organization, to try to improve and make the next step.”

“The core is good,” agreed Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau. “The core is in place. At this point, you’re going to evaluate everything. You have the draft, you have free agency, and you have trade possibilities. So we have good flexibility and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Chicago also has Derrick Rose, who is working his way back into form. Whereas Rose participated in some non-contact portions of practice at the end of the regular season, Forman indicated that he continues to progress.

“He’s really in a good place right now and he continues to train. He's starting to play one-on-one, two-on-two,” said Forman of Rose, who was at the Berto Center the morning after the Game 5 loss to work out. “So he'll continue to ramp it up. And if everything goes according to plan — which up to this point it has — we're optimistic that he'll play with Team USA this summer and have another good summer of work and be ready to go in October.”

Thibodeau stated that Rose would be in the area more this summer, working with the team leading up summer league (Rose is not expected to participate) and USA Basketball in July.

“You can't lose sight of Derrick being back,” said Thibodeau. “That changes a lot of things. … He's right on schedule. So this is the next phase now. The rehab part went well. The non-contact stuff went well. So now this is the next step, which is good.”

Thibodeau said he has no doubts about Rose returning to a high level of play.

“The thing is, he's had two unfortunate injuries,” Thibodeau said. “I think he's put a lot of work into his body. So we're optimistic that he's going to make a complete and full recovery.”

Beyond Rose, the Bulls also own a pair of first round draft picks this summer, Nos. 16 and 19. With the late round selections of Jimmy Butler (No. 30) and Taj Gibson (No. 26), Forman has demonstrated the ability to find talent in his five seasons as general manager.

While this year’s draft is regarded as a talented and deep, Forman is optimistic every year for what it represents.

“We like to approach it like every draft is a good draft and there's opportunities in every draft,” said Forman. “We've done an enormous amount of work, not only this year but the last several years, on guys that will be in this draft. We're optimistic we'll get two guys that will fit our team and fit our culture."

While the plan is for Rose to once again be Chicago’s starting point guard in the fall, it remains to be seen who will back him up. Both D.J. Augustin and Kirk Hinrich will be unrestricted free agents this summer.

“It’s still the same kind of feeling,” said Hinrich as he left the Berto Center on Wednesday. “We’re disappointed to go out the way we did. I guess reflecting back on it, you think about the season and all we went through. I enjoy playing with that group of guys.

“The goal when you enter a season, we had high expectations. You want to win a championship and do as well as you can,” Hinrich continued. “We valued the right things and played hard; we just didn’t get it done.”

Hinrich is now a veteran of 11 professional seasons, including nine with the Bulls.

“Take some time off and decompress,” Hinrich said of what’s next. “Reflect on the season and go from there.”

As for Augustin, who lives in Houston, Texas and will spend his offseason there, he looks forward to taking a few weeks off and spending time with his newborn son.

“The meetings were good. We had a chance to talk and look back on the season,” said Augustin. “They told me that they wanted me back. And I really want to be back so we'll see how everything works out.

“They gave me an opportunity, and I definitely owe them a lot,” Augustin added of the Bulls. “It's not always about the money. It's where you feel comfortable or where you fit in. I definitely want to be here, and hopefully everything works out.”

Forman expressed interest in having both players return, but noted it will take some time for the offseason to run its course. NBA free agency begins in July.

“D.J.'s a fit,” said Forman. “He's been a fit as far as his makeup and character, how he fit with our other guys, and I think his game is a fit because of his ability to create and to score. We're hopeful we'll be in a position that D.J. will consider coming back and that we're in a position to have him back.

“We value Kirk and Kirk's been a big part of what we've done over the last nine or 10 years,” added Forman. “So it would be our goal that we have Kirk back, also.”

Audio—Gar Forman talks with reporters about the offseason (04.30.2014):

Audio—Tom Thibodeau on decompressing and Derrick Rose’s summer (04.30.2014):

Audio—Kirk Hinrich on what’s next after 11 seasons in the NBA (04.30.2014):

Audio—D.J. Augustin on his status as an unrestricted free agent (04.30.2014):

prideful-bulls-moving-forward

Prideful Bulls moving forward

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